Hiddink - We were sloppy

11 April 2009 06:26

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Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink says that sloppy defending was to blame for the collapse of his side against Bolton.
The Blues were four goals ahead at Stamford Bridge but Gary Megson's side managed to score three times in eight minutes and almost levelled the scores in added time.
The Dutchman believes that his team became too relaxed and stopped defending properly after their fourth goal, leading to the visitors' dramatic comeback.
"We started rather sloppy in the first 10 minutes but that's rather normal after the game we had this week and then we speeded the game up a bit in the first half," he told Sky Sports.
"In the second half it got too comfortable at 4-0 and it was expected to be five.
"Within nine minutes we were getting rather sloppy and nonchalant all over the pitch and we were too relaxed and let them have three goals.
"You must control the game. We were not defending well, not just in defence but also in midfield and up-front."
Didier Drogba continued his fine form with a two goals before being substituted midway thorough the second half, with Hiddink claiming that the Ivorian's enthusiastic play lifts the whole team.
He added: "He keeps on scoring and that's important for the team. If he's as hungry as he's showing then it's good for everyone, him included."
Michael Ballack was also singled out for praise after he gave Chelsea the lead with his first Premier League goal of the season.
"I think he was one of the people in the first half after those 10 minutes who picked up the game," Hiddink said.
"He made a beautiful assist to himself, giving a good pass to Kalou and then got it back and (scored) a very good goal."
Despite the dramatic comeback, the three points gained means that Chelsea still have an outside chance of snatching the Premier League title away from Liverpool and Manchester United.
But the 62-year-old manager believes the championship is getting more unrealistic as each game passes.
"They keep on gathering points as well and there's one game less every time now and that makes it more difficult," he added.